[SMCARA] Fw: PRAD parade communication support

[Ray]

Hi Brian,

I forwarded this message to the club.  I can help, can't speak for the other folks.  If anyone an help, please reply to Brian.  Thanks.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: KB3WFV 
To: arbyone1 at verizon.net 
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 4:27 PM
Subject: PRAD parade communication support


      Hello Ray 

      My name is Brian, my call sign KB3WFV. Iam a new AEC for Calvert ARES as of August 21st 2012.
      I received the information on PRAD from the Calvert EC Dennis Bowling N3QHC on September 23rd. 
      After reviewing the several emails sent between Randy of PRAD and several ham radio operators I see that this request for communication support has been in the works since July 10th. 
      I also see that St. Mary's ARES has also offered support to PRAD. To my knowledge Randy of PRAD has not been given any firm plans or commitment from either Calvert or St. Marys.

      I would like to collaborate on this event with you to ensure that PRAD gets the support that they need. Looking over the parade route on a map it looks like the parade would run about 1 (one) mile. This should be able to be easily covered with a 5 watt HT on 2 meters simplex. I have tentative plans to physically test this at the parade route this weekend. 

      Reading Randy's request it looks like he needs 2 stations/operators. He does not say if these stations need to be mobile or fixed, another reason I recommend using HT's. Randy also expressed concern about message errors, to help reduce these errors I suggest that a radio operator paired with a message handler in a two man team. This would allow one operator to pay attention to radio traffic and the other to deliver and receive messages. 

      I have so far 3 operators (including myself) who have indicated that they are willing to support PRAD. I am still getting the word out to ARES members as well as CARA members and hope to find at least one more operator. I would like to see a total of 6 operators to allow for any breaks that the "on the air" operators may need during the event.

      Please feel free to contact me with any of your thoughts or suggestions. If you like I can meet you on the parade route this weekend to both gain a sense of the environment and test the HT's.

      You can contact me by phone at 301-641-1674 or by email at kb3wfv at yahoo.com

      I look forward to working with you 

      Brian
      KB3WFV